Liv Kelly

The information on this page was correct at time of publication, but please check with venues before you head out Any night out in London always comes with a lot of choices, but come New Year’s Eve, the amount of options intensifies. You might find yourself faced with so many, in fact, that you opt for the much easier choice of staying in with bottles of booze, some mates and a banging Spotify playlist on the speakers. That’s not a bad way to spend NYE, but should you want to get out and about, there’s plenty of spots that will be partying til the early hours that will give you a great night out. No matter how you decide say goodbye to 2024, there’s something for everyone in the city this year. Pro tip: don’t procrastinate over your planning for too long – events often quickly sell out, meaning all you could be left with is a serious case of FOMO. Here’s our guide to the best things to do on December 31. RECOMMENDED: The best places to watch the New Year's Eve fireworks in London. 

We’re nearly there – at the end of yet another year on this rock. Before you get too bogged down in resolutions, Dry January and trying to turn over a new leaf for 2025, there’s one last night of fun to be had on New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately, it’s the kind of night out where you can’t just wing it and expect to have a great time – it takes some serious planning. We’re here to help with our list of the best NYE bashes to ring in 2025 at, from never-ending club nights to LGBTQ+-friendly celebrations. Book your tickets, plan the perfect ‘fit and grab your mates to give 2024 the ultimate send-off. RECOMMENDED: Find things to do in London on New Year’s Day.

Ya has visitado los clásicos: las capitales, los lugares virales de TikTok, las ciudades con su propio programa de Netflix… Y no nos malinterpretéis, nos encantan los clásicos, pero hay un inconveniente en estos destinos de viaje grandes, bulliciosos y dignos de una lista. Si alguna vez has guardado una hora de cola para una pastelería, te has gastado el presupuesto del día en un café o has reservado un museo con tres meses de antelación, lo sabrás tan bien como nosotros: son las aglomeraciones. Lo cierto es que los autóctonos tampoco están contentos. Este verano se han producido una serie de manifestaciones contra el turismo en los principales puntos de interés europeos, al llegar a un punto crítico después de años de masificación turística; Ámsterdam se ha puesto dura con los nuevos hoteles y Venecia está preparada para duplicar su tasa turística en el 2025 (como Barcelona, ​​que también podría hacerlo). De modo que nunca ha habido un mejor momento para pensar fuera de la caja a la hora de planificar los viajes, sobre todo cuando hay tantos sitios olvidados increíbles. Desde escapadas urbanas llenas de cultura hasta parques nacionales desconocidos, estos destinos tienen todo lo que deseáis para vuestras próximas vacaciones, con la ventaja adicional de que habrá mucha menos gente yendo a los mismos lugares. Si viajáis con un presupuesto limitado, buscáis tranquilidad o simplemente estáis desesperados por probar un lugar nuevo, estos son los lugares más infravalorados para vi

Ja has visitat els clàssics: les capitals, els llocs virals de TikTok, les ciutats amb el seu propi programa de Netflix… I no ens malinterpreteu, ens encanten els clàssics, però hi ha un inconvenient en aquestes destinacions de viatge grans, bullicioses i dignes d'una llista. Si alguna vegada has fet una hora de cua per a una pastisseria, t'has gastat el pressupost del dia en un cafè o has hagut de reservar un museu amb tres mesos d'antelació, ho sabràs tan bé com nosaltres: són les aglomeracions. El cas és que els autòctons tampoc estan contents. Aquest estiu s'han produït una sèrie de manifestacions contra el turisme als principals punts d'interès europeus, ja que es va arribar a un punt crític després d'anys de massificació turística; Amsterdam s'ha posat dura amb els nous hotels i Venècia està preparada per duplicar la seva taxa turística el 2025 (com Barcelona, que també podria fer-ho). De manera que mai hi ha hagut un millor moment per pensar fora de la capsa a l'hora de planificar els viatges, sobretot quan hi ha tants llocs oblidats increïbles. Des d'escapades urbanes plenes de cultura fins a parcs nacionals desconeguts, aquestes destinacions tenen tot el que desitgeu de les vostres pròximes vacances, amb l'avantatge addicional que hi haurà molta menys gent anant als mateixos llocs. Si viatgeu amb un pressupost limitat, busqueu tranquil·litat o simplement esteu desesperats per provar un lloc nou, aquests són els indrets més infravalorats per visitar a Europa en aquest

Given that an impressively long list of British artists have hailed from Glasgow (Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret MacDonald, to name a couple), and the same can be said for the number of Turner Prize winners and nominees produced by Glasgow School of Art, it’s safe to say that Scotland’s second city is an artistic one.  And whether you’re an up-and-coming creative or just someone who loves ogling a good painting, Glasgow’s plentiful galleries are full of marvellous works to see and inspire. There are world-famous works, original exhibitions and teeny tiny studios to explore, so have a browse of our absolute favourite art galleries in Glasgow. RECOMMENDED:🥗 The best restaurants in Glasgow🍸 The best bars in Glasgow🍻 The best pubs in Glasgow🏩 The best Airbnbs in Glasgow🏨 The best hotels in Glasgow This list was updated by Arusa Qureshi, a writer based in Scotland. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Edinburgh hosts literally the biggest arts festival in the world every year, so is it surprising this city has one of the most brilliant creative scenes in the UK? No, not really. But we’re not just talking theatres, music venues and museums – the Scottish capital is awash with some really amazing galleries.  Here you’ll find prestigious, long-standing institutions like Scotland’s National Gallery buildings, but there’s a ton of cool multi-arts venues too, like Summerhall and the the City Art Centre (and plenty of them are free to visit). Opportunities for soaking up culture are all over the place in Edinburgh, so just make sure you leave enough time for it all. Here are the best galleries in the city right now. RECOMMENDED:🏛️ The best museums in Edinburgh🌤️ The best things to do in Edinburgh🏰 The best attractions in Edinburgh🏩 The best Airbnbs in Edinburgh🏨 The best hotels in Edinburgh This guide was written by Edinburgh-based Arusa Querishi. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

I don't know about you, but I think we're pretty damn lucky to have world-class festivals just a tube ride away. Before you know it, you're catching your most listened-to artists in a field, tinny to hand and while contemplating afterparties or a hot shower and bowl of cereal before bed (just me?). We're a city that loves live music, we all know that. And so we're absolutely spoilt for choice when summer rolls around. You've got festivals devoted to hip-hop, jazz, leftfield pop and heavy rock ‘n’ roll. Whatever your taste may be, my god does London have a day festival for you. Have a scroll through some of our recommendations and get planning. But be warned, these events are selling out fast. So get your tickets right now – you've been warned RECOMMENDED: ⛺ The best UK music festivals🌍 The best festivals in Europe

It’s never too early to start planning for the new festival season, as while we agonisingly wait for the announcement of headliners for some of the world’s finest festivals (Glasto, we’re looking at you), others have already got themselves together (Primavera Sound, NOS Alive, Coachella, we thank you) with brilliant programmes of who are set to be some of 2025’s hottest artists.  And no matter your music taste, who you’re going with, your weather preference or your capacity for camping, the world will have a festival that’s right for you, from Europe to the USA, Canada to Japan and Australia to India. Overwhelmed? Don’t sweat – here’s our comprehensive roundup of the best festivals in the world taking place in 2025. RECOMMENDED:🌤️The best festivals in Europe in 2025🎪The best festivals in the UK in 2025🎭The best things to do in the world this year🌃The best cities in the world right now At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

Traditional and modern, innovative vegetarian dishes and oozing beefburgers, established chefs and promising young talent: the brand new Time Out Market Porto is jam-packed with variety. But it’s not just enticing kitchens that will fill the market: there’s a souvenir shop, a sky-high Tasting Room pouring the best of the Douro Valley, and a cracking cocktail bar. Here’s everything you need to know about what’s on offer at Time Out Market Porto.

Don’t panic, but the clock is most certainly a-tickin’ towards the big day this year. And what’s that we hear? You haven’t even thought about your Christmas presents yet? We get it, we get it. But don’t bother with Oxford Circus. Say ‘no sir’ to Bezos. Instead, what you need is an all-encompassing, perfectly curated gift from an independent business. A gift all made up for you, with all the trimmings. What you need, dear friends, is a hamper. And we’ve scoured through all that London and the surrounding areas has to offer to find the best hampers around, whether you’re counting your pennies or you’re going all out. Here are the absolute best hampers you should be buying in London right now. Thank us later.  RECOMMENDED:🎄 Our essential guide to Christmas in London🛍️ The best Christmas shops in the UK🎅 The best Christmas movies ever made🎤 The best Christmas songs of all time

When it comes to music festivals, it can be tempting to stay local – they can be pretty spectacular no matter where they’re taking place, after all. But travelling for one? Getting to explore somewhere new and see a bunch of cracking artists, as well as maybe – just maybe – enjoy better weather and cheaper beer? Well, you can’t ask for much more. Europe certainly isn’t in short supply, particularly of festivals so magnificent that they double up as destinations in themselves. From tiny, lesser-known spots in the Faroes and Azores, your classic, mega, headliner-packed fests in the UK, France and Netherlands and small jazz festivals all the way up in the Alps, Europe is brimming with marvellous music festivals. Here’s a roundup of our top picks for this year. RECOMMENDED: 🎪The best UK music festivals🎤The best music festivals in the US🌤️The best European city breaks for 2024

December officially arrives this weekend. Yep, that means any Grinches and festive naysayers must finally bow down in front of the tirade of tinsel that’s hit London ready for Christmas. One of the major festive events of the season, The Museum of Architecture’s Gingerbread City, is back in town with its miniature doughy recreations of cities and towns. There’s also a bucketload of cool, creative Christmas markets popping up around town, including the return of Columbia Road’s legendary Christmas late-night shopping events where you can pick up thoughtful gifts from the street’s independent stores and Maltby Street’s after-dark festive evening where you can buy treats for the foodies in your life. Take a look at our Christmas markets guide to find a full list of designers and makers selling their wares. There’s also a wealth of culture to fill your diary with this week. Head to the beautiful, candle-lit Sam Wanamaker Theatre (a treat in itself to sit in) to see a rare comedic take on Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well, gaze upon iconic moments from 80’s Britain at Tate Britain’s new exhibition filled with pivotal photography from the turbulent decade including work from Martin Parr and Tish Murtha, while cinephiles can watch a brilliantly curated programme of non-Christmassy Christmas films – aka films that are set in and around Christmas but aren’t necessarily Christmas films, the Die Hards of the genre, if you will – at the BFI Southbank. Grab a scarf and get going! S

You’d be forgiven for feeling a little intimidated upon approaching Eastwell Manor. Its stern, neo-Elizabethan stone façade is dotted with boxy windows which appear as if they allow little light, and reaching reception involves dragging your luggage through an eerily still, imposing courtyard. But the vibe’s pretty different inside.  Through the comically large, dark-wood doors, the formality of the building does match the tone of the service, but we were warmly greeted by wafts from the restaurant, the excited buzz of guests from a wedding party and formally dressed but amicable team members. And that’s what’s unexpected about this place – how homely a massive country estate (particularly one with a tennis court, a hawking centre and beehives) can feel as soon as you arrive.  Our room, in the cottage buildings in the west corner of the grounds, was one designated for people on a spa break (it’s only a two-minute walk from the spa building) and other guests were flitting between the two buildings in just their dressing gowns, despite the October chill. The spa itself, the facilities of which include a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room on the ground floor, as well as a restaurant, plus treatment and ‘relaxation’ rooms upstairs, does all the things a good spa should do, but is perhaps not quite matched to the size of the hotel – we arrived mid-afternoon to cop a poolside seat but were left with only one available spot to plonk ourselves. But the hotel doesn’t just of

Hidden neatly away underneath its sister restaurant Kinkally, this intimate, sultrily-lit subterranean bar is an unusual hybrid of sleekness and snugness, where you’re squeezed around what feels like an island in the bartender’s own kitchen. You can watch the team shake, swirl, rattle and pour a succinct but enticing menu of original cocktails which feature everything from micro coriander (the Nomad) to porcini mushrooms (the Nature), or sample some woody, savoury Georgian natural wine. Whether you’re booked in for dinner upstairs or have just found yourself in Fitzrovia, this place is definitely worth a pitstop.

Entering our park-view room on the ninth floor of the Athenaeum, our jaws dropped not because of the suite itself, but because it immediately lived up to its name: the south-facing hotel rooms offer tremendous views of the lush treetops of Green Park, and if you’re lucky enough to stay in on one of the top floors (nine is the highest), it’s pretty splendid. What’s more, the hotel has been designed to incorporate the park’s proximity: the compact, comfortable rooms and ground-floor reception feature floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of mirrors to complement and exaggerate the nearby greenery. Entering the hotel feels almost like you’re stepping inside an opulent conservatory.  Throughout the hotel there are nods to grand decor, but it’s not overdone. Twinkly light fixtures, velvet Chesterfield headboards and touches of gold are not going to be to everyone’s taste, but they feature in the light-flooded rooms and add glamour to mostly white walls and bedding – this hotel is in Mayfair, after all.  That emphasis on elegance is also reflected in the kind of service you get at the Athenaeum. Front of house members, at the reception during check-in and in the restaurant, were congenial, warm, but the atmosphere here is formal: there’s no small talk, no chit-chat during breakfast service – everything feels very proper.  While the surrounding neighbourhood boasts plenty of bougie places to eat, the hotel’s ground-floor restaurant is a worthy alternative, particularly for afternoon t

With interiors that look like they probably haven’t been updated since the place opened in 1997, and prices that also feel like they’re stuck in the past, a trip to locally loved Bayswater restaurant The Bengal feels like stepping back in time. The dated decor serves to create a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy generous portions of classic curry house fare. The chef’s special bhunas and jalfrezis – both traditional Bengali dishes – stand out on a large menu of traditional Indian and Bangladeshi curries. Whether you’re sitting in or ordering a takeaway, this is a reliable option for inexpensive, flavoursome dinner. 

Quite unlike the uniform streets which characterise this patch of London, The Beachcomber – a tiki bar specialising in agricole rhums from the French Caribbean – can only really be described as loud. Loud in flavour, colour, atmosphere and texture, this animated place features decorated with palm trees, faux bamboo, wooden masks and colourful lighting, and is a great spot if you fancy trying inventive cocktails made using the UK’s largest collection of rhum agricole, plus other classic tiki ingredients like cachaça, coconut cream and guanábana. It also runs a lively programme of DJ nights, rum masterclasses and open mic evenings too.

Located next to the south-facing exit of Queensway station on Bayswater Road, this whacky little ice cream shop serves everything from bubble waffles to soft-serve gelato and slushies, all in a vibrant array of colours and with a huge variety of sauces and toppings. Need to reward the kids for making it through that sweaty journey on the Central line? With popcorn, apple sorbet and even unicorn flavour on the menu, they’re sure to love this place.

If you're after a spooky screening to feel completely immersed in the spirit of Halloween, the Eventim Apollo have got you covered. The Grade II listed cinema will be hosting two screenings with live bands on Halloween Sunday: Hocus Pocus and Twilight. You might have seen them a thousand times, or you might be relatively unfamiliar with these Halloween classics. One thing's for sure — they'll have new life brought to them with the accompaniment of the live music, and truly absorb the audience. If that sounds like an enchanting way to spend an afternoon, grab your ticket for the show. 

London's West End is about to be transformed into a petrifying patch of Halloween performances, and none look quite so terrifyingly fun as this Soho Halloween Cabaret at Phoenix Arts Club. Taking place in the haunted dressing rooms of this iconic West End theatre, you can expect death-defying stunts, drag artists and aerial performances from some of London's biggest and best performers. There'll also be themed cocktails, plus plenty of frights and surprises for the best dressed spooky attendees — grab your ticket now!

The Clapham Grand is hosting one of the most exciting Halloween seasons in London, and that of course includes some fantastic film screenings. The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be accompanied by Dreamteam dancers and hosts, special games and prizes on Halloween Saturday. Hocus Pocus will be screened on Halloween night, so you can head to one of the spookiest haunted venues in the city to celebrate the right way, supplemented with witchy dancers, games and some petrifying prizes, too! 

You'll need to book well ahead for Halloween at the London Dungeon – but then they do always put on a simply frightful show. This year, expect to be haunted by the ancient and sinister force which has been awakened. The Exorcism of Peter Moore will send a shiver down your spine with the chilling whispers of his lost soul — it will take some courage to bear this unsettling show.  For all the information on what's happening at the London Dungeon this Halloween, check out their website here. 

Sashay your way to Somerset House’s stunning Georgian courtyard for its annual summer extravaganza, which as always has an emphasis on queer-led, music-pumping and dance-filled events.  Stop by on weekdays for free, non-naff family workshops like bookmaking, loom making and embroidery, accompanied by food and drink pop-ups and the fine refreashing spray of the courtyard fountains. On weekends is when the action ramps up with live events and performances from inclusivity-centered creatives and grassroot communities. This year look out for a bike ride from Black Unity, the Queer Family Picnic, Black Girl Fest, the Vogue Rites voguing ball and a live musical love letter to London from Femi Koleoso (Ezra Collective, Gorillaz). 

With it’s bright, uncluttered interior, specialty coffee shop Tab x Tab is a lovely place to grab a coffee. Occupying a more spacious patch of the pavement and a menu of modern takes on brekkie classics, it’s also one of the better spots in Bayswater for an alfresco brunch with a side of people-watching. The kitchen shuts at 3pm daily, but stop by later in the day to sample a menu of imaginative cocktails, including a yuzu negroni and a ‘matchatini’.

When it comes to restaurants, you’ve probably got a notes app page on your phone or a folder on Instagram or TikTok of places that you’re meaning to try, but sometimes it’s handy to have a little insight from some proper professionals.  La Liste’s annual ranking of the world’s 1000 best restaurants puts each one through a rigorous six-stage process including reviewing, grading, processing, ranking and incorporating customer reviews, before they’re given an overall La Liste score.  While that might sound tough, nine restaurants scored an impressive 99.50 out of 100 in this year’s roundup, which is just about as perfect as you can get.  One of these was Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl, a three-Michelin starred restaurant in Basel, Switzerland, which specialises in creating high-end French dishes that have elements of Mediterranean and Asian thrown in.  Another is Lung King Heen, an exquisite seafood restaurant in Hong Kong’s Four Seasons Hotel. The menu includes dishes such as marinated red jellyfish, double-boiled sea cucumber soup and crispy eel with chilli pepper.  L’Enclume, another three-Michelin starred restaurant in Cumbria, UK has also scored that jaw-dropping 99.5, but it’s far from the only British establishment to get some recognition: read more about those here.  These are the best restaurants in the world (all with scores of 99.5) Cheval Blanc by Peter Knogl – Grand Hôtel Les Trois Rois, Switzerland Guy Savoy, France L’Enclume - Simon Rogan, UK La Vague d’Or - Cheval

We know a thing or two about Christmassy places in Europe, but when it comes to the festive season, is there any accolade as merriment-inducing as being named the European Capital of Christmas? Arguably not.  Excitingly, that’s now the case for Vilnius, Lithuania’s charming capital city. The Christmas Cities Network has named it the European Capital of Christmas for 2025, citing its ‘dazzling displays, iconic Christmas Tree, and rich programme of events’.  It’s worth noting that three Christmas Capitals have been named this year, and Vilnius was recognised alongside Celje in Slovenia, which is a scenic destination nestled in the Lower Savinja Valley, and Noja, a coastal town on the coast of northern Spain. So, how does the selection process actually work? Well, the Christmas Cities Network is dedicated to promoting the festive season’s cultural, social and economic values, and with the support of the European Parliament, it highlights places that take pride in community engagement and heritage preservation.  And Vilnius is full of heritage: take the city’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, for example – has there ever been a better backdrop for an ice rink? What’s more, all the twinkly lights hanging from lampposts and buildings are energy-efficient and lots of the city’s decorations are eco-friendly.  But being blessed with the European Capital of Christmas title isn’t the only achievement won by Vilnius this year – back in June, we reported that the Michelin guide was expanding to i

Chances are you probably associate Black Friday and Cyber Monday with cheap deals on everything from sparkling new tech to clothes and shoes, but Travel Tuesday, which follows the blaze of shopping chaos, is basically the equivalent for flights, hotels, cruises and holidays.  To get a bit technical, the term was coined in 2017 when online booking platform Hopper picked up on the trend of flights being particularly affordable the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, according to the Independent. Between 2021 and 2023, searches for ‘Travel Tuesday’ have soared by 500 percent.  Clearly this relatively new phenomenon has caught on, so here is everything you need to know about Travel Tuesday and how to finesse some bargains.  Recommended: Here are all the best Black Friday and Travel Tuesday deals to look out for in 2024.  What date is Travel Tuesday, 2024? Travel Tuesday takes place the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the US, which this year falls on December 3.  Is Travel Tuesday a thing in the UK? Yes! Travel Tuesday is very much a thing in the UK. While American airlines and hotels were the first to lean into this third day of frenzied purchasing post-Thanksgiving day, plenty of operators and companies which are UK-based are slashing their prices.  What airlines have deals on Travel Tuesday? Plenty of airlines, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Qatar Airways and easyJet plus are slashing their prices over this Black Friday, many until Travel Tuesday – you can have a look

Travelling by train is back, we know that. There’s no better way to maximise your holiday than by incorporating a particularly dazzling railway route as part of your journey.  But which train journeys are considered the greatest on the planet? We have our own ideas, and so does the Telegraph. The newspaper called on several contributors to compile a list of all their favourite train journeys. The Heart of Wales line makes the list, which is a 193 km route journeying from south Wales through Shropshire, connecting the Welsh Marches and passing by places such as Llandeilo, Sugarloaf Hill and the viaducts at Cynghordy and Knucklas. Sounds lovely and quaint, doesn’t it? Then at the other end of the scale, the gargantuan Trans-Siberian Express, a 9,289 km, eight-day journey into the Arctic Circle was included, as was a journey from Khambli to Marwar Junction in India that one writer took back in the 1980s, which they described as a ‘magnificent ride of several hours across 172 bridges and through tunnels that are feats of engineering dating back a century.’ Read on for more of their favourite train journeys in the world.  These are the 10 greatest train journeys in the world, according to the Telegraph Washington DC to New York The Heart of Wales Line Buenos Aires to Esquel  Khambli to Marwar Junction, India The Alps sleeper train Transcantábrico Trans-Siberian Express Bernina Express Eurostar to Paris The Orient Express You can read more about all of these journeys here.  Train

Airports can simply be functional: bare, soulless places for you to whizz through security and board your flight. But then there are those that make you want to stay a little longer, whether for excellent shopping or truly unique features (I mean, the world’s tallest indoor waterfall can be found at Singapore’s Changi airport, after all). Prix Versailles, a worldwide architecture and design award, has recently published a whole load of rankings on everything from museums to sports stadiums, as well as a list of the world’s most beautiful airports – those that double as examples of outstanding engineering and architecture. And claiming the top spot is (drum roll, please) Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi! Shocked? No, neither are we. The airport is designed in an X-shape and each of the four points is inspired by Abu Dhabi’s landscapes.  Two Asian airports also made the roundup of the six most impressive airports: Changi Airport Terminal 2 in Singapore, which has recently had a massive expansion and glow-up that was completed at the end of last year, and Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, which is Thailand’s busiest hub.  These are the six most beautiful airports in the world for 2024, according to Prix Versailles Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi Felipe Ángeles International Airport, Zumpango Changi Airport Terminal 2, Singapore Suvarnabhumi Airport, Midfield Satellite 1, Bangkok Logan International Airport, Terminal E, Boston Kansas City International Airport, Kan

Within the travel industry, overtourism has been one of the hottest topics of the year. Plenty of destinations are trying to curb the impact of having so many visitors, whether by banning short-term holiday lets or introducing new tourist taxes.  Despite these efforts, in many popular places the problem only seems to be getting worse. That’s why travel publication Fodor’s publishes an annual list of ‘no-go’ destinations for the year ahead, in what it describes as an effort to highlight ‘destinations where tourism is placing unsustainable pressures on the land and local communities’.  Destinations are organised into two categories. The first is ‘perennial no list destinations’; places that have been suffering from the impact of overtourism for a while, but little progress has been made to mitigate the issues.  The first of these is Bali. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics for Bali Province, the Indonesian island welcomed 5.3 million international visitors in 2023, a number that rose by 22 percent by the end of July 2024.  The issue is that the island’s economy thrives on hospitality, but that relies on the health of its landscapes, which are being degraded. Formerly pristine beaches such as Kuat and Seminyak are litter-covered, and local waste management systems can’t keep up.  The second category is ‘destinations which are beginning to suffer’. On this list is the Mexican city of Oaxaca. Since 2020, tourism has soared by 77 percent and English is gradually replacin

According to some estimates, there could be up to 2,000 varieties of cheese being churned all over the world – 2,000 types – and while that is probably music to the ears of turophiles out there, ranking the very best out of those is no walk in the dairy aisle.  That’s where the World’s Best Cheese Awards come in, which comprehensively rank the planet’s pongiest, crumbliest and tastiest cheese in their annual competition. The characteristics assessed include visuals, body and texture, aroma, flavour and mouthfeel, according to euronews.  This year, an un-brie-lievable 4,786 different cheeses from 47 countries were assessed by the awards’ panel of 240 judges. They selected 104 ‘super gold’ cheeses, which were then reassessed by a super jury to identify the best 14.  And claiming the crown as the world’s best cheese? It was Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado, a buttery sheep’s milk Portuguese cheese made by Quinto do Pomar in the Serra da Gardunha, which beat the likes of two Swiss cheeses that came in second and third place (Tea Fondada and Alpenhorn Mifroma).  Now, you might notice a distinct lack of cheddar, Wensleydale and stilton on the top 14 list. Why? Well, because 67 British cheesemakers were impacted by post-Brexit custom checks which meant their 252 cheeses missed out on a slice of the action.   ‘Before Brexit, this wouldn’t have been a thing. That’s a fact,’ director at the Guild of Fine Food John Farrand told the Observer. Feta luck next time, Britain. These are the world

Asia is a magnet for tourism – from Japan’s sprawling cities to the dazzling countryside of Vietnam, the continent is packed with world-class travel destinations. But China? You might not meet people who have travelled there so frequently, though that could all be about to change.  The country is rapidly expanding its list of countries from which people can enter without a visa (for up to 30 days), and eight more European countries have just been added.  Back in October, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Portugal and Slovenia were granted access, and Andorra, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovakia and Norway were also recently added.  The list has expanded to 38 European countries in total, with the inclusion of Bulgaria, Romania, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia and Latvia, as well as Japan, who will be able to enter from November 30 2024 until December 31, 2025.  So, why is all this happening? A representative from the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that it’s ‘to facilitate the high-quality development of Chinese and foreign personnel exchanges and high-level opening up to the outside world,’ according to euronews. Essentially, the country is encouraging tourism again after years of strict pandemic measures. Keep an eye on this page to see if more countries get added to the visa-free access list, and in the meantime, here are some travel guides for Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Macau.  Did you see that this European airport banning nighttime flights?

The ‘cost of living’ has been the buzz-phrase of the last couple of years, and with rising prices on everything from fuel to food, energy bills to transport, it’s something many of us are having to bear in mind on the daily.  Handily, price comparison site Compare the Market publishes a Cost-of-Living Cities Index each year, and the list of the ten most cost-of-living friendly cities in the world for 2024 has been unveiled.  42 major cities were assessed across 11 factors, which include categories such as unemployment rates, average wages, typical public transport fares and the price of a coffee, and it’s (drum roll, please) Seoul which claims the top spot as the most cost-of-living friendly city in the world.  It has the lowest unemployment rate on the roundup at just 2.5 percent, as well as decent fuel prices and some of the lowest rent prices and house prices indexes.  Next up it’s Brisbane, thanks to its ridiculously affordable transport (a single journey is just 50 cents) as well as good rent and fuel prices. However, Melbourne also makes the top 10, claiming seventh place, and both cities also have a low unemployment rate of just 4.2 percent. Read on for the top 10 list.  These are the ten most cost-of-living friendly cities in the world Seoul, South Korea Brisbane, Australia Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Madrid, Spain Ljubljana, Slovenia Bratislava, Solavk Republic Melbourne, Australia Rome, Italy Mexico City, Mexico Prague, Czechia and Ankara, Türkiye Did you see that

O Verão parece que foi há cinco minutos, mas já está na hora de vestir roupa quentinha, encher-se de queijo e chocolate e organizar as compras de Natal. Porquê? Bem, porque o Natal está mesmo ao virar da esquina! E sabe o que isso significa – mercados de Natal que valem a viagem. Cidades e vilas por toda a Europa orgulham-se das suas exibições de cabanas de madeira encantadoras, luzes cintilantes, petiscos saborosos e decorações artesanais. E que melhor forma de saber quais são os melhores mercados senão analisando as suas avaliações online? A Iglu Cruise avaliou as classificações médias de 40 mercados de Natal em toda a Europa e classificou-os com base na maior proporção de avaliações de cinco estrelas no TripAdvisor. Os resultados não deixam margem para dúvidas. No topo da lista está Esslingen, onde 72,2% das avaliações são de cinco estrelas – impressionante, não é? Esta cidade, a 16 quilómetros a sul de Estugarda, na Alemanha, organiza um mercado natalício clássico e um mercado medieval, oferecendo muito para explorar durante a quadra. Em segundo lugar está Cracóvia, na Polónia, com 71,4% das avaliações de cinco estrelas, e em terceiro está Colónia, na Alemanha, com 70,5%. Aliás, a Alemanha domina o ranking, ocupando cinco dos 10 primeiros lugares. Sem surpresas – pode consultar a nossa própria lista dos melhores mercados de Natal na Alemanha aqui. Frohe Weihnachten! Os 10 melhores mercados de Natal na Europa Esslingen, Alemanha Cracóvia, Polónia Colónia, Alemanha Praga,

É claro que as redes sociais podem dar-nos uma boa ideia dos destinos que são tendência neste momento, mas não há nada de errado com os bons e velhos dados de reserva, pois não? Foi exactamente isso que o Booking.com utilizou para descobrir quais os destinos que vão estar em alta no próximo ano. Utilizando dados recolhidos entre 1 de Agosto e 31 de Outubro de 2024, para estadias entre 1 de Dezembro e 28 de Fevereiro de 2025, a plataforma revelou uma lista de locais para os quais as pesquisas mais aumentaram de um ano para o outro no Reino Unido. No topo da lista está João Pessoa, uma cidade portuária no nordeste do Brasil com praias deslumbrantes, para onde as pesquisas aumentaram 126%. A cidade é conhecida principalmente pela produção de tecidos e produtos de algas marinhas, mas recomendamos visitar praias como Cabo Brando e Praia de Tambaú. Em segundo lugar está Tromsø, a maior cidade do norte da Noruega, que é um ponto de observação de estrelas e da aurora boreal. Aqui, o interesse aumentou 122%. Em terceiro lugar? Sanya, um destino de praia espectacular na ilha de Hainan, na China, que registou um salto de 85% nas pesquisas. Os 10 destinos mais procurados para 2025, segundo o Booking.com João Pessoa, Brasil Tromsø, Noruega Sanya, China Trieste, Itália San Pedro de Atacama, Chile Houston, Estados Unidos Naha, Okinawa, Japão Villajoyosa, Espanha Tignes, França Willemstad, Curaçao 2025, aqui vamos nós A Lonely Planet, a National Geographic e a Condé Nast Traveller publicar

Na Time Out, sabemos uma ou outra coisa sobre cidades, mas na verdade há mais na vida do que as ruas animadas e movimentadas das metrópoles ultra-modernas – e por vezes, só queremos um pouco de pitoresca tranquilidade. Felizmente, todos os anos, a UN Tourism publica uma lista das “melhores aldeias turísticas” do mundo, que é seleccionada com base nos destinos que estão a fazer o trabalho mais notável no que diz respeito à preservação da sua cultura, da sua comunidade e das suas tradições através de projectos turísticos. A organização abriu o processo de candidaturas no início do ano. Agora foram reveladas as melhores aldeias para visitar em 2025 (embora não se trate de um ranking – estão listadas por ordem alfabética). O mais interessante é o facto de todos os cantos do planeta estarem incluídos na lista, tendo alguns países mais do que uma entrada. No México, por exemplo, há três: Capulálpam de Méndez, no sopé das montanhas do estado de Oaxaca; Cuatrociénegas de Carranza, famosa pelas suas nascentes e pântanos, e Palizada, repleta de arquitectura da era colonial pintada de forma vibrante. Portugal tem duas aldeias na lista: Óbidos e Santa Cruz da Graciosa. Noutras regiões, encontram-se locais de interesse como exemplo Splügen, uma pequena mas deslumbrante aldeia no topo de uma montanha suíça, ou Azheke, uma povoação chinesa que alberga o povo Hani e é povoada por casas de palha. Abaixo, pode consultar a lista completa das 55 aldeias para visitar no próximo ano. As 55 melhore